Data placement optimization

ABSTRACT

For improving data placement optimization in a computing storage environment, an application layer and/or a user are allowed to attach anticipated usage metadata and directive metadata to a file.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to computers, and moreparticularly to improving data/file placement optimization in acomputing storage environment.

2. Description of the Related Art

In today's society, computer systems are commonplace. Computer systemsmay be found in the workplace, at home, or at school. Computer systemsmay include data storage systems, or disk storage systems, to processand store data. Data storage systems, or disk storage systems, areutilized to process and store data. A storage system may include one ormore disk drives. These data processing systems typically require alarge amount of data storage. Customer data, or data generated by userswithin the data processing system, occupies a great portion of this datastorage. Many of these computer systems include virtual storagecomponents. One of the many challenges of these computing system isstoring, placing, and arranging data files in such a way that allows forquick and timely access to the files.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment, a method is provided for improving data placementoptimization using a processor device. For improving data placementoptimization in the computing storage environment, an application layerand/or a user are allowed to attach an anticipated usage metadata and adirective metadata to one or more files.

In another embodiment, a computer system is provided for improving dataplacement optimization. The computer system includes a computer-readablemedium and a processor in operable communication with thecomputer-readable medium. For improving data placement optimization inthe computing storage environment, an application layer and/or a userare allowed to attach an anticipated usage metadata and a directivemetadata to one or more files.

In a further embodiment, a computer program product is provided forimproving data placement optimization. The computer-readable storagemedium has computer-readable program code portions stored thereon. Thecomputer-readable program code portions include a first executableportion that allows an application layer and/or a user to attach ananticipated usage metadata and a directive metadata to one or morefiles.

In addition to the foregoing exemplary method embodiment, otherexemplary system and computer product embodiments are provided andsupply related advantages. The foregoing summary has been provided tointroduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of the claimedsubject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determiningthe scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter isnot limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages notedin the background.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to beconsidered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a computer storage environmenthaving an exemplary storage device in which aspects of the presentinvention may be realized;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware structure of anexemplary data storage system in a computer system in which aspects ofthe present invention may be realized;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an exemplary method forimproving data placement optimization in a computing storage environmentby attaching an anticipated usage of files metadata and a directivemetadata to a file in which aspects of the present invention may berealized;

FIG. 4 is a table diagram illustrating an exemplary anticipated usagemetadata schema in which aspects of the present invention may berealized;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an additional exemplarymethod for attaching anticipated usage of files metadata and directivemetadata to a file in which aspects of the present invention may berealized;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an additional exemplarymethod for optimizing file placement using the attached anticipatedusage of files metadata and directive metadata to a file in whichaspects of the present invention may be realized; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an additional exemplarymethod for automatically attaching anticipated usage of files metadataand directive metadata to a file based on the context of the file at thetime the file was created in which aspects of the present invention maybe realized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As previously mentioned, computing systems are used to store and managea variety of types of data and/or files. One of the many challenges ofthese computing system is storing, placing, and arranging data files insuch a way that allows quick and timely access to the files. In oneembodiment, as used herein, the term file optimization refers todetermining what storage system tier (e.g., solid state drive ‘SSD’,disk, tape, etc.) should be used for a given piece of data (e.g., afile) based on predefined policies and/or real time metrics. In oneembodiment, the present invention provides a solution that improves data(e.g., file) placement optimization by connecting an application layerwith individual data elements. In one embodiment, the present inventionallows the application layer (and/or a user) to attach either“directives” or “anticipated usage” metadata to storage elements (e.g.,the file level not the block level) that influence the storage layercontroller's placement decisions. The directives and metadata maycontain time, scope, duration, and other elements that will let thestorage controller better anticipate future usage patterns so that thestorage controller can proactively move data to storage tiers that areappropriate for that anticipated future usage. In one embodiment, forimproving data placement optimization in the computing storageenvironment, an application layer and/or a user is allowed to attach ananticipated usage of files metadata and a directive metadata to a file.In one embodiment, data owners and/or applications are allowed to attachmetadata to the file that gives the storage controller directives orinformation as to how that data/file will be used in the future.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a system that improvesdata/file placement optimization by allowing the application layer (oruser/consumer) to attach either “directives” or “anticipated usage”metadata to one or more files in a storage subsystem. This directivemetadata and/or anticipated usage of a file metadata can be consumed bythe storage manager (e.g., IBM® SVC, physical storage controller, VIO®server, etc.) and influence the storage manager's placement decisions.In one embodiment, directives are metadata that give specificinstructions to a storage manager on actions that either should or couldbe taken that relate specifically to the file(s) to which the directivemetadata attached. To assist with passing directives from instances tothe storage framework, a set of architectural interfaces are defined forspecifying such directives. Anticipated usage metadata are informationalattributes that describe characteristics about the file that the storagemanager may also use to improve placement decisions. The anticipatedusage metadata may contain time, scope, duration, and other elements.

The directive metadata and anticipated usage metadata allow the storagecontroller to more accurately anticipate future usage patterns so thatthe storage controller may proactively move data and/or files to storagetiers that are appropriate for that anticipated future usage. Directivesmay also be passed from each guest instance directing how data blocksshould be distributed. In one embodiment, on a host system, the guestinstance indicates an operating system running on a virtual machine (incontrast to the hypervisor instance). Thus, overall locality of data isencouraged, which improves storage performance benefiting workloads.Moreover, by allowing either an application layer and a user to attachan anticipated usage of files metadata and a directive metadata (e.g.,attaching directives as metadata) to a file, data or file placementoptimization is enhanced and more effective because the results are moreaccurate and actionable than by simply placing static business policiesin the metadata.

Moreover, the present invention requires each server/storage systemen-route to various edge servers to execute directives, which eventuallypushes files out to the edge servers. There is no redirecting of user tothe edge servers in the present invention. Also, there is no centralpolicy server to be maintained because policies may be included in theform of anticipated usage or directives that is attached to the datacontent itself. In one embodiment, the present invention automates theprocess of turning anticipated usage into directives and automaticallyexecuting those directives on the server/storage system en-route to thefinal destination(s) at appropriate time thereby eliminating anyrequired and/or explicit end-user action.

Turning now to FIG. 1, exemplary architecture 10 of data storage systemsin a computing environment is depicted. The computer system 10 includescentral processing unit (CPU) 12, which is connected to mass storagedevice(s) 14 and memory device 16. Mass storage devices can include harddisk drive (HDD) devices, solid-state devices (SSD) etc., which can beconfigured in a redundant array of independent disks (RAID). The backupoperations further described can be executed on device(s) 14, located insystem 10 or elsewhere. Memory device 16 can include such memory aselectrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) or a hostof related devices. Memory device 16 and mass storage device 14 areconnected to CPU 12 via a signal-bearing medium. In addition, CPU 12 isconnected through communication port 18 to a communication network 20,having an attached plurality of additional computer systems 22 and 24.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram 200 showing a hardware structure ofa data storage system in a computer system according to the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 2, there are shown host computers 210, 220,225, each acting as a central processing unit for performing dataprocessing a part of a data storage system 200. The hosts (physical orvirtual devices), 210, 220, and 225 may be one or more new physicaldevices or logical devices to accomplish the purposes of the presentinvention in the data storage system 200. In one embodiment, by way ofexample only, a data storage system 200 may be implemented as IBM®System Storage™ DS8000™. A network connection 260 may be a fibre channelfabric, a fibre channel point to point link, a fibre channel overethernet fabric or point to point link, a FICON or ESCON I/O interface,any other I/O interface type, a wireless network, a wired network, aLAN, a WAN, heterogeneous, homogeneous, public (i.e. the Internet),private, or any combination thereof. The hosts, 210, 220, and 225 may belocal or distributed among one or more locations and may be equippedwith any type of fabric (or fabric channel) (not shown in FIG. 2) ornetwork adapter 260 to the storage controller 240, such as Fibrechannel, FICON, ESCON, Ethernet, fiber optic, wireless, or coaxialadapters. Data storage system 200 is accordingly equipped with asuitable fabric (not shown in FIG. 2) or network adapter 260 tocommunicate. Data storage system 200 is depicted in FIG. 1 comprisingstorage controller 240 and storage 230.

To facilitate a clearer understanding of the methods described herein,storage controller 240 is shown in FIG. 2 as a single processing unit,including a microprocessor 242, system memory 243 and nonvolatilestorage (“NVS”) 216, which will be described in more detail below. It isnoted that in some embodiments, storage controller 240 is comprised ofmultiple processing units, each with their own processor complex andsystem memory, and interconnected by a dedicated network within datastorage system 200. Storage 230 may be comprised of one or more storagedevices, such as storage arrays, which are connected to storagecontroller 240 by a storage network.

In some embodiments, the devices included in storage 230 may beconnected in a loop architecture. Storage controller 240 manages storage230 and facilitates the processing of write and read requests intendedfor storage 230. The system memory 243 of storage controller 240 storesprogram instructions and data, which the processor 242 may access forexecuting functions and method steps associated with managing storage230 and executing the steps and methods of the present invention in acomputer storage environment. In one embodiment, system memory 243includes, is associated, or is in communication with the operationsoftware 250 in a computer storage environment, including the methodsand operations described herein. As shown in FIG. 2, system memory 243may also include or be in communication with a cache 245 for storage230, also referred to herein as a “cache memory”, for buffering “writedata” and “read data”, which respectively refer to write/read requestsand their associated data. In one embodiment, cache 245 is allocated ina device external to system memory 243, yet remains accessible bymicroprocessor 242 and may serve to provide additional security againstdata loss, in addition to carrying out the operations as described inherein.

In some embodiments, cache 245 is implemented with a volatile memory andnon-volatile memory and coupled to microprocessor 242 via a local bus(not shown in FIG. 2) for enhanced performance of data storage system200. The NVS 216 included in data storage controller is accessible bymicroprocessor 242 and serves to provide additional support foroperations and execution of the present invention as described in otherfigures. The NVS 216, may also referred to as a “persistent” cache, or“cache memory” and is implemented with nonvolatile memory that may ormay not utilize external power to retain data stored therein. The NVSmay be stored in and with the Cache 245 for any purposes suited toaccomplish the objectives of the present invention. In some embodiments,a backup power source (not shown in FIG. 2), such a battery, suppliesNVS 216 with sufficient power to retain the data stored therein in caseof power loss to data storage system 200. In certain embodiments, thecapacity of NVS 216 is less than or equal to the total capacity of cache245.

Storage 230 may be physically comprised of one or more storage devices,such as storage arrays. A storage array is a logical grouping ofindividual storage devices, such as a hard disk. In certain embodiments,storage 230 is comprised of a JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) array or aRAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) array. A collection ofphysical storage arrays may be further combined to form a rank, whichdissociates the physical storage from the logical configuration. Thestorage space in a rank may be allocated into logical volumes, whichdefine the storage location specified in a write/read request.

In one embodiment, by way of example only, the storage system as shownin FIG. 2 may include a logical volume, or simply “volume,” may havedifferent kinds of allocations. Storage 230 a, 230 b and 230 n are shownas ranks in data storage system 200, and are referred to herein as rank230 a, 230 b and 230 n. Ranks may be local to data storage system 200,or may be located at a physically remote location. In other words, alocal storage controller may connect with a remote storage controllerand manage storage at the remote location. Rank 230 a is shownconfigured with two entire volumes, 234 and 236, as well as one partialvolume 232 a. Rank 230 b is shown with another partial volume 232 b.Thus volume 232 is allocated across ranks 230 a and 230 b. Rank 230 n isshown as being fully allocated to volume 238—that is, rank 230 n refersto the entire physical storage for volume 238. From the above examples,it will be appreciated that a rank may be configured to include one ormore partial and/or entire volumes. Volumes and ranks may further bedivided into so-called “tracks,” which represent a fixed block ofstorage. A track is therefore associated with a given volume and may begiven a given rank.

The storage controller 240 may include a file optimization module 255,an anticipated usage metadata module 257, and a directive metadatamodule 259 in a computer storage environment. The file optimizationmodule 255, the anticipated usage metadata module 257, and the directivemetadata module 259 may work in conjunction with each and everycomponent of the storage controller 240, the hosts 210, 220, 225, andstorage devices 230. The file optimization module 255, the anticipatedusage metadata module 257, and the directive metadata module 259 may bestructurally one complete module working together and in conjunctionwith each other for performing such functionality as described below, ormay be individual modules. The file optimization module 255, theanticipated usage metadata module 257, and the directive metadata module259 may also be located in the cache 245 or other components of thestorage controller 240 to accomplish the purposes of the presentinvention.

The storage controller 240 may be constructed with a control switch 241for controlling the fiber channel protocol to the host computers 210,220, 225, a microprocessor 242 for controlling all the storagecontroller 240, a nonvolatile control memory 243 for storing amicroprogram (operation software) 250 for controlling the operation ofstorage controller 240, data for control and each table described later,cache 245 for temporarily storing (buffering) data, and buffers 244 forassisting the cache 245 to read and write data, a control switch 241 forcontrolling a protocol to control data transfer to or from the storagedevices 230, the file optimization module 255, the anticipated usagemetadata module 257, and the directive metadata module 259 on whichinformation may be set. Multiple buffers 244 may be implemented with thepresent invention in a computing environment, or performing otherfunctionality in accordance with the mechanisms of the illustratedembodiments.

In one embodiment, by way of example only, the host computers or one ormore physical or virtual devices, 210, 220, 225 and the storagecontroller 240 are connected through a network adaptor (this could be afiber channel) 260 as an interface i.e., via a switch sometimes referredto as “fabric.” In one embodiment, by way of example only, the operationof the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. The microprocessor 242may control the memory 243 to store command information from the hostdevice (physical or virtual) 210 and information for identifying thehost device (physical or virtual) 210. The control switch 241, thebuffers 244, the cache 245, the operating software 250, themicroprocessor 242, memory 243, NVS 216, the file optimization module255, the anticipated usage metadata module 257, and the directivemetadata module 259 are in communication with each other and may beseparate or one individual component(s). Also, several, if not all ofthe components, such as the operation software 245 may be included withthe memory 243 in a computer storage environment. Each of the componentswithin the storage device may be linked together and may be incommunication with each other for purposes suited to the presentinvention.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a flow chart diagram illustrating an exemplarymethod 300 for improving data placement optimization in a computingstorage environment by attaching an anticipated usage of files metadataand a directive metadata to a file in which aspects of the presentinvention may be realized is depicted. The method 300 begins (step 302)by allowing either an application layer and/or a user to attachanticipated usage of files metadata and directive metadata to one ormore files in a computing storage environment (step 304). The method 300ends (step 306).

To further illustrate the present invention as described herein,consider the following example. Tom creates a video that shows the past10 Masters Golf Tournament winners and highlights of the priorchampions. The Masters is scheduled for April 5. Tom's website(application layer) allows him to attach some “directives” (e.g.,directive metadata) that inform the system that Tom anticipates 1,500people will watch this video between April 1 and April 4, and that15,000 people will watch the video on April 5. Tom submits a secondseries of videos of personal interviews of all the players. Tom alsoattaches metadata to those videos that indicate that the videos willreceive anticipated high usage between April 3 and April 8. The backendsystem is then able to read the directive metadata and use the directivemetadata to proactively push the video files to Tier 1 storage 2 hoursbefore the anticipated heavy usage on April 1 and April 3. Thus, asillustrated in the above example, either the application layer (website)and/or a user (Tom) is allowed to attach anticipated usage of filesmetadata and directive metadata to one or more files in a computingstorage environment

As such, in one embodiment, the embodiments described herein, providefor attaching “directives” as metadata to files and attaching“anticipated usage” metadata to files. The present invention provides asystem that optimizes existing file placement algorithms by using theattached directive metadata and the anticipated usage of file metadata.The present invention extends optimization beyond the storageinfrastructure into the edge-caching network (CDN/e.g. Akami) using thedirective metadata and the anticipated usage of file metadata. In oneembodiment, the present invention provides for automatically attachingthe directive metadata and the anticipated usage of file metadata to oneor more files based on the context of the file at the time the file wascreated (e.g. in the application layer).

Turning now to FIG. 4, a table diagram illustrating an exemplaryanticipated usage metadata schema in which aspects of the presentinvention may be realized is depicted. As illustrated in FIG. 4, thetable illustrates one embodiment of a schema for anticipated usagemetadata. The columns show 1) the metadata, 2) the data type, andcomments. The corresponding rows illustrate 1) anticipated usage, 2) thedata importance, 3) the user importance, 4) the event, 5) the origin, 6)the destination by event, 7) the route, and 8) the importance reductionfactor. Under the data type, the anticipated usage may be the bandwidthrequirement (e.g., standard definition as compared to high definition)and this may be considered as core metadata, the importance of the datamay be assigned a value from 1 to 10 and may be considered as coremetadata, the user importance may be assigned a value from 1 to 10 andmay be considered as optional metadata, the event may include the startdate and/or start time and the end date and/or end time, but is optionalmetadata, the origin may include the city, county, and data center (withn digit codes for each) and may be considered as optional metadata, thedestination by event may include the city, county, and data center (withn digit codes for each) and may be considered as optional metadata, theroute may include a list of each city, county, and data center (with ndigit codes for each) and may be considered as optional metadata, andfinally, the importance reduction factor may be assigned a value from 1to 10 and may be considered as core metadata but for the importancereduction factor, the user importance and the data importance ismultiplied by the value of the importance reduction factor each 24 hoursafter the event's end data and/or end time. In one embodiment, as usedherein, the term “core” (e.g., core metadata) is used to give a sense ofimportance to an attached directive metadata (or anticipated usagemetadata), in contrast to “optional” metadata which are meant to assistin refinement, and thus not considered crucial. The core metadata givesa stronger hint to the controller and should be used in drivingallocation activities that the controller performs.

In one embodiment, the operation of attaching anticipated usage metadatato files may be performed using a separate tool. In one embodiment, asused herein, a tool may be any computer program, application, and/ordevice and the like, such a GUI interface, that users may use to defineand manipulate metadata. For example, a tool that Tom used to create thevideo allows him to edit and attach the metadata. The tool may thenattach metadata to the file in some format known to a storage system.The tool may allow selecting a file system, directory, or individualfiles. The metadata may be spatial or temporal in nature indicatingwhere and when the file(s) should be stored or pushed to in the storageenvironment. For example, spatial metadata may include specifying acertain storage area network (SAN), server, type of storage, geographiclocation (city, state, country, and the like) etc. Spatial metadata mayalso include an initial storage location and any and all new locationsas the anticipated usage draws near. In one embodiment, temporalmetadata may specify items or elements such as dates, days, or relativetime (e.g. 4 days from today).

In addition, a storage manager may turn the anticipated usage data intoa set of directives. For example, returning to the previous exampleabove, if Tom indicates that his video files are likely to experienceheavy load between April 1 and April 4, the storage manager may turnthat information into a set of directives, such as store the fileinitially at location X, then on March 31 and move the file to locationsY, Z, and W. Then on April 1, 2 hours before the start of some event,move the file to locations (e.g. servers) M and N, etc. At any point intime, the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata may beupdated on the fly with new, altered, modified, and/or additionalanticipated usage metadata or directive metadata, or in other words,updated in real time. FIG. 5 below is one embodiment for attachinganticipated usage of files metadata and directive metadata to a file asjust described.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an additional exemplarymethod 500 for attaching an anticipated usage of files metadata and adirective metadata to a file in which aspects of the present inventionmay be realized. The method 500 begins (step 502) by creating a file bya user (step 504). The method 500 monitors the computing storage systemfor a new file creation event and immediately attaches a set of coremetadata to the newly created file (step 506). The method 500 addsadditional anticipated usage of the file metadata and/or directivemetadata to the file(s) in the storage system (step 508). The method 500ends (step 510).

However, in one embodiment, the operations of attaching “directives” asmetadata to files may include the following operations. First, thedirectives (e.g., the directive metadata) are specific instructions tothe computing system that are executed en-route to a destination (e.g.,the storage destination of the file). The metadata, such as describedabove (more specifically as illustrated in FIG. 4), are used to generatedirectives for the computing system to execute/perform. For example, thefollowing are examples of directives that may be included in thedirective metadata:

-   -   1. If today's date is past End Date, multiply Data Importance by        Importance Reduction Factor and if the new Data Importance is 1        or less, delete the file.    -   2. If user rewinds video between timelines 2 min to 4 min, put        up a link to more information regarding the footage.    -   3. If the current location is not the Destination and today is        the day before Start Date, then send the file and metadata to        the next destination on the list.    -   4. If the user is watching the first video in the series, make        the next video in the series available to her when the current        video finishes.

In one embodiment, there are two types of directives: local directivesand cascading directives. A local directive is executed/performed on acurrent system. A cascading directive is sent to a next/subsequentdestination en-route to a final destination. In one embodiment, there isalso a transition from a cascading directive to a local directive oncethe directive metadata arrives at the target destination system.Cascading directives allow for automatically taking appropriate actionon each destination at the right, most accurate time. For example, for acircus show planned for multiple locations, cascading directives givethe impression of a moving exhibit. The impression of a moving exhibitis used to mean that the present invention may potentially set the timefor the showing of videos so that the videos follow the timeline of howthey were performed at different locations.

Continuing on, in one embodiment, the present invention provides acomputing system with the ability to optimize existing file placementalgorithms by using the attached metadata (e.g., directive metadataand/or anticipated usage metadata) as described above. In oneembodiment, the present invention extends the file placementoptimization beyond the storage infrastructure into an edge-cachingnetwork (e.g., content delivery network ‘CDN’ such as Akami®) using thedirectives and anticipated usage data. In one embodiment, a CDN is alarge distributed system of servers deployed in multiple data centers inthe Internet.

In one embodiment, a hardware and/or software entity, located either onthe storage system or on a server) may periodically scan the directives(e.g., the directive metadata) and execute the directives that need tobe carried out and executed. In one embodiment, the illustratedembodiments may generate directives (e.g., generate additional directivemetadata) from other directives and/or anticipated usage patterns. Forexample, returning the example illustrated above, assume that on March31 Tom's video file not only moves to location X but also a set ofdirectives and/or anticipated usage data moves to location X. Thedirectives metadata and anticipated usage metadata is meant for locationX to act upon. As location X acts upon the directives metadata andanticipated usage metadata at the appropriate time, the transfer of thevideo file may include further directives for locations Y, Z, and W. Andso on and so forth. Each movement of files may be accompanied bymetadata achieving the cascading effect.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an additional exemplarymethod 600 for optimizing file placement using the attached anticipatedusage of files metadata and directive metadata to a file in whichaspects of the present invention may be realized. The method 600periodically reads metadata of a file (step 604). The method 600 acts onthe metadata by scheduling a file-send operation to send a file to thefile's next destination on a given date and/or time (step 606). Themethod 600 acts on the metadata by scheduling a metadata-send operationto send a file to the file's next destination on a given date and/ortime (step 608). The method 600 ends (step 610).

In one embodiment, the present invention provides for automaticallyattaching the directives and anticipated usage (e.g., the directivesmetadata and anticipated usage metadata) to one or more files based onthe context (e.g., the situation surrounding the file creation, such aswhether the file creation was part of a multiple-file load) at the timethe file was created (e.g. in the application layer). For example,automatically attaching the directives and anticipated usage metadatamay follow user specified default policies regarding directives and/oranticipated usage based on file types, directories, and the like. Thisprocess may is similar to compressing files that have not changed, thathave not been accessed in a long time, or archiving a set of files basedon the usage history. Thus, the present invention may include providingan application programming interface (API) in order to create, attach,and/or modify directives and anticipated usage patterns from the variousapplications. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment forautomatically attaching the directives and anticipated usage to one ormore files.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram illustrating an additional exemplarymethod 700 for automatically attaching an anticipated usage of filesmetadata and a directive metadata to a file based on the context of thefile at the time the file was created in which aspects of the presentinvention may be realized. The method 700 sets up default metadata, by auser, as system/tool tunables (e.g., configuration parameters) by filetype (e.g., pictures, videos, blogs, presentations, etc.) (step 704).The method 700 attaches default metadata based on the file type (step706). If needed (as an option), a user may modify the default metadatathat is attached to the file(s) (step 708). The method 700 uses adefined set of application programming interface (API), by anapplication that creates a file, to attach directive metadata and/oranticipated usage of file metadata to a file, and/or modify the defaultmetadata (step 710). The method 700 ends (step 712).

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wired, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of theforegoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspectsof the present invention may be written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventionalprocedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming languageor similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirelyon the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention have been described above withreference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods,apparatus (systems) and computer program products according toembodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block ofthe flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create means for implementing thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, orother devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed onthe computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce acomputer implemented process such that the instructions which execute onthe computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the above figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

While one or more embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated in detail, the skilled artisan will appreciate thatmodifications and adaptations to those embodiments may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for improving data placementoptimization by a processor device in a computing storage environment,the method comprising: allowing at least one of an application layer anda user to attach anticipated usage metadata and directive metadata to afile.
 2. The method of claim 1, further including incorporating in theanticipated usage metadata a plurality of attributes that describecharacteristics about the file for use to improve placement decisionsfor the file, wherein the anticipated usage metadata includes at leastone of time, scope, and duration for the file.
 3. The method of claim 1,further including incorporating in the directive metadata a plurality ofinstructions for a plurality of actions relating to the file, whereinthe directive metadata is one of a local directive that is executed on acurrent system and a cascading directive that is sent to a nextdestination enroute to a final destination and allow for automaticallyexecuting each of an appropriate action on each destination at anappropriate time.
 4. The method of claim 3, further includingtransitioning from the cascading directive to the local directive afterthe directive metadata arrives at a target system.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, further including anticipating future usage patterns by usingthe anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata forproactively moving data to one of a plurality of storage tiers.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further including optimizing file placement using theanticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, further including extending the optimization of the fileplacement beyond a storage system infrastructure into an edge-cachingnetwork using the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.8. The method of claim 1, further including performing one of:monitoring for a new file creation event, wherein the file is created,attaching the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata atthe time of file creation, updating the anticipated usage metadata andthe directive metadata in real time, adding a set of core metadata tothe file at the time of the file creation, scanning the directivemetadata for determining when to execute those directive contained inthe directive metadata, and executing the directive metadata.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, further including performing one of: reading theanticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata, scheduling a sendfile operation for sending the file to a next destination according tothe anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata, scheduling asend metadata operation for sending metadata to a next destinationaccording to the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.10. The method of claim 1, further including performing one of: settingup default metadata as system tunable by a file type, attaching thedefault metadata on the file type, modifying the default metadata thatis attached to the file, and using one of a plurality of definedapplication programming interfaces (API) for attaching to theanticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.
 11. A system forimproving data placement optimization in a computing storageenvironment, the system comprising: at least one processor deviceoperable in the computing storage environment, wherein the at least oneprocessor device: allows at least one of an application layer and a userto attach anticipated usage metadata and directive metadata to a file.12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor deviceincorporates in the anticipated usage metadata a plurality of attributesthat describe characteristics about the file for use to improveplacement decisions for the file, wherein the anticipated usage metadataincludes at least one of time, scope, and duration for the file.
 13. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor deviceincorporates in the directive metadata a plurality of instructions for aplurality of actions relating to the file, wherein the directivemetadata is one of a local directive that is executed on a currentsystem and a cascading directive that is sent to a next destinationenroute to a final destination and allow for automatically executingeach of an appropriate action on each destination at an appropriatetime.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one processordevice transitions from the cascading directive to the local directiveafter the directive metadata arrives at a target system.
 15. The systemof claim 11, wherein the at least one processor device anticipatesfuture usage patterns by using the anticipated usage metadata and thedirective metadata for proactively moving data to one of a plurality ofstorage tiers.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least oneprocessor device optimizes file placement using the anticipated usagemetadata and the directive metadata.
 17. The system of claim 16, whereinthe at least one processor device extends the optimization of the fileplacement beyond a storage system infrastructure into an edge cachingnetwork using the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.18. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor deviceperforms one of: monitoring for a new file creation event, wherein thefile is created, attaching the anticipated usage metadata and thedirective metadata at the time of file creation, updating theanticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata in real time,adding a set of core metadata to the file at the time of the filecreation, scanning the directive metadata for determining when toexecute those directive contained in the directive metadata, andexecuting the directive metadata.
 19. The system of claim 11, whereinthe at least one processor device performs one of: reading theanticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata, scheduling a sendfile operation for sending the file to a next destination according tothe anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata, scheduling asend metadata operation for sending metadata to a next destinationaccording to the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.20. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor deviceperforms one of: setting up default metadata as system tunable by a filetype, attaching the default metadata on the file type, modifying thedefault metadata that is attached to the file, and using one of aplurality of defined application programming interfaces (API) forattaching to the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.21. A computer program product for reducing data loss in a computingstorage environment by a processor device, the computer program productcomprising a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readableprogram code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program codeportions comprising: a first executable portion that allows at least oneof an application layer and a user to attach anticipated usage metadataand directive metadata to a file.
 22. The computer program product ofclaim 21, further including a second executable portion thatincorporates in the anticipated usage metadata a plurality of attributesthat describe characteristics about the file for use to improveplacement decisions for the file, wherein the anticipated usage metadataincludes at least one of time, scope, and duration for the file.
 23. Thecomputer program product of claim 21, further including a secondexecutable portion that incorporates in the directive metadata aplurality of instructions for a plurality of actions relating to thefile, wherein the directive metadata is one of a local directive that isexecuted on a current system and a cascading directive that is sent to anext destination enroute to a final destination and allow forautomatically executing each of an appropriate action on eachdestination at an appropriate time.
 24. The computer program product ofclaim 22, further including a third executable portion that transitionsfrom the cascading directive to the local directive after the directivemetadata arrives at a target system.
 25. The computer program product ofclaim 21, further including a second executable portion that anticipatesfuture usage patterns by using the anticipated usage metadata and thedirective metadata for proactively moving data to one of a plurality ofstorage tiers.
 26. The computer program product of claim 21, furtherincluding a second executable portion that optimizes file placementusing the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.
 27. Thecomputer program product of claim 26, further including a thirdexecutable portion that extends the optimization of the file placementbeyond a storage system infrastructure into an edge caching networkusing the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.
 28. Thecomputer program product of claim 21, further including a secondexecutable portion that performs one of: monitoring for a new filecreation event, wherein the file is created, attaching the anticipatedusage metadata and the directive metadata at the time of file creation,updating the anticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata inreal time, adding a set of core metadata to the file at the time of thefile creation, scanning the directive metadata for determining when toexecute those directive contained in the directive metadata, andexecuting the directive metadata.
 29. The computer program product ofclaim 21, further including a second executable portion that performsone of: reading the anticipated usage metadata and the directivemetadata, scheduling a send file operation for sending the file to anext destination according to the anticipated usage metadata and thedirective metadata, scheduling a send metadata operation for sendingmetadata to a next destination according to the anticipated usagemetadata and the directive metadata.
 30. The computer program product ofclaim 21, further including a second executable portion that performsone of: setting up default metadata as system tunable by a file type,attaching the default metadata on the file type, modifying the defaultmetadata that is attached to the file, and using one of a plurality ofdefined application programming interfaces (API) for attaching to theanticipated usage metadata and the directive metadata.